Page 26 - Climate Control News Magazine Feb 2019

Call to legislate IAQ in the fight
against mould contamination
AUSTRALIA'S CLIMATE CONTROL INDUSTRY MADE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY INTO BIOTOXIN-RELATED ILLNESSES
IN AUSTRALIA. IN THIS SPECIAL REPORT, CCN PROVIDES AN OVERVIEW OF A NUMBER OF INDUSTRY SUBMISSIONS MADE TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STANDING COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, AGED CARE AND SPORT.
IN THE LAST 50 years buildings have become sealed, relying on mechanical air rather than natural ventilation.
HVAC hygiene company, Ducted Air Solu- tions, said mould is common even in buildings without water damage.
In its submission, the company said the rapid increase of synthetic products in all aspects of life has created a soup of Volatile Organic Com- pounds (VOCs) and Biotoxins.
“Mould spores within HVAC systems can be ultimately dispersed with the conditioned air and becomes a major contaminant of indoor air,” the submission said.
In fact a senior member of staff at Ducted Air Solutions has been diagnosed with Chronic In- flammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS).
Unfortunately, there is a lack of knowledge about CIRS.
“We believe HVAC hygiene is at a crisis point in Australia, with no legislation to regulate In- door Air Quality (IAQ) leaving many exposed to mould contamination,” the submission said.
“The absence of legislation has allowed self regulation by property owners and managers when considering HVAC hygiene with the im- pact of poor IAQ on occupiers of facilities often not considered.
“Implementation of current yardsticks such as AIRAH's Best Practice Guidelines and AS/NZ 3666 and 1668 is discretionary and in many in- stances, ignored.
“In the fight against CIRS within Australia we feel legislation drafted in accordance with cur-
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